Day 1
The
final grand slam of the year has begun today. The cynosure of all eyes would be
“The Flushing Meadows” at New York.
In
the men’s section, former champion and last year’s runner up – Rafael Nadal has
had to unfortunately pull out of this event due to a knee injury. Defending
champion Novak Djokovic is one of the firm contenders alongside Olympic
medalists Andy Murray & Roger Federer. The Swiss maestro is the current
world number one and is in fine form coming into this slam after having beaten
rival Djokovic in straight sets at the Cincinnati Masters – a tune up event to
the US open. Andy Murray, the gold medal winner at the London games would be
looking for that elusive first grand slam of his career. The other dark horses
could be Jo Wilfred Tsonga, Juan Martin Del Potro & John Isner.
In
the women’s section, former US Open champion Kim Clijsters would be playing in
the last slam of her glittering career and is certain to call it a day
thereafter. It would be very tough to predict a winner considering the draw.
Any of the top ten players could hold aloft the silverware on Sep 1st.
However, the fan favorites would be Serena Williams, Li Na, Victoria Azarenka,
Caroline Wozniacki, Maria Sharapova & Sam Stosur.
As
I write, a few first round matches have begun and heavy thunder showers have
lashed all the outside courts including the show court – The Arthur Ashe
stadium.
Before
rains stopped play, Australian Samantha Stosur steam rolled Croatian Petra Martic
in straight sets 6-1, 6-1. Chinese Li Na was leading 6-2, 5-2 against Watson.
German sensation Sabine Lisicki took the first set but dropped the second
against her opponent Cirstea. American veteran James Blake looked solid against
Lacko and was in control at 7-5, 6-2.
Federer
is scheduled to take on Donald Young. Maria Sharapova plays Melinda Czink.
Day 2
Federer
and Murray won their respective matches on day 1. The other top players in
action today include Tomas Berdych, Milos Raonic, Andy Roddick & Novak
Djokovic. The Williams sisters are also scheduled to play their opening rounds.
Former
French Open finalist Anna Ivanovic cruised to the second round with a
comfortable straight sets victory over Elina Svitolina. The former world no 1
hasn’t been in the best form over the last two to three years and it would be
interesting to see how far she progresses.
Wimbledon
finalist Agnieska Radwanska of Poland came through 6-1, 6-1 against Bratchikova
from the Czech Republic to advance to round 2.
Day 3
The
sun shone brightly on Flushing Meadows. Veteran and former world number 1
Leyton Hewitt plays today. He’s been given a wild card. David Ferrer, a
consistent performer at the slams, takes on South African Kevin Anderson. In
the women’s side, Belarusian and mixed doubles gold medalist in London, Victoria
Azarenka took the first set 6-2 against Kirsten Flipkens from Belgium and broke
her opponent’s serve twice to close out the match 6-2, 6-2. The Williams sisters looked very sharp on day
2 winning their respective opening rounds fairly comfortably.
Wild
card G. Rufin was leading 6-4, 6-3 against his accomplished opponent from
Serbia, J. Tipsarevic. The first major upset looks imminent.
Big
serving John Isner is set to take on Belgian Xavier Malisse. The lanky American
should go through based on the form book.
Day 4
Murray
& Djokovic advanced on day 3. Defending champion Sam Stosur from Australia
progressed to round three. Former champion Kim Clijsters was ousted in the
second round by young and upcoming Laura Robson from Great Britain. Robson won
the mixed doubles silver medal at the London games partnering Andy Murray.
Federer and Venus Williams are scheduled to
play in the night session. The first major casualty came in the form of 5th
seed and one of the firm favorites Jo Wilfred Tsonga, who was knocked out in 4
sets in round two by an unknown and unfamiliar left handed opponent by the name
of Martin Klizen. The score line read 6-4, 1-6, 6-1, 6-1. Kilizen served well
and stroked the ball extremely well of both flanks. Yelena Jankovic of Serbia
made it to the round of 32 and could possibly face a tough opponent in the form
of Agnieska Radwanska.
The
exit of the talented Frenchman has opened up his half of the draw. American
Mardy Fish locked horns with a dogged Russian, Nikolay Davydenko. He took the
third set 6-2 after having lost the first two 6-4, 7-6.
Venus
Williams was beaten in straight sets by the upcoming German left hander
Angelique Kerber. However, the younger of the two siblings, Serena breezed
through to the third round.
Day 5
Sam
Stosur took on Lepchenko in the third round. 9th seed Li Na was up
against British star Laura Robson. Robson broke Li’s serve in the second game
of the opening set and held on till 5-3. The Chinese broke back in the 9th
game but failed to hold her serve in the next. Robson prevailed 6-4 with some
consistent serves and ground strokes. Li took the second set on a tie break.
However, her younger opponent took control in the deciding set to go up 5-2 and
then held her serve comfortably to progress to the round of 16 where she meets
potential champion Samantha Stosur. It was a clinical display by the 18 year
old Brit who served very well and returned superbly.
Andy
Roddick takes on Australian sensation Bernard Tomic in the night session.
Roddick has announced that he would retire from professional tennis after this
year’s US Open. The 29 year old will be sorely missed, particularly his booming
serves. Top seed Victoria Azarenka plays the other top ranked Chinese player
remaining in the draw, Zheng Zie.
5th
seed and 2011 Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova faced Pauline Parmentier in her
third round encounter. The Czech faces Marion Bartoli of France in the fourth
round after her 6-4, 6-4 win. Novak Djokovic ousted Brazilian Dutra Silva 6-2,
6-1, 6-2 to advance to the third round where he could meet Frenchman Julian
Benneteau.
Veteran
and former world number 1 Lleyton Hewitt faced Gilles Muller in his second
round match and the score line read 3-6, 7-6 with the enigmatic Aussie winning
the second set tie-break.
Day 6
Second
& third round singles action continued. Serena Williams got past Russian
Makarova with ease to make it to the round of 16. In other second round
matches, big serving John Isner beat Jarko Nieminen of Finland in four sets
6-3, 6-7, 6-4, 6-3. Andy Roddick thrashed Bernard Tomic 6-3, 6-4, 6-0. Philip
Kolschreiber of Germany won a thrilling five set encounter against B. Paire of
France 6-7, 6-3, 3-6, 6-2, 7-6.
Frenchman
Julian Benneteau came through in four sets against American youngster Novikov.
Serbian Tipsarevic beat a seemingly tough opponent Brian Becker in straight
sets 6-4, 6-3, 6-4.
Marin
Cilic got past Kei Nishikori of Japan in four sets to progress to the round of
16 and so did Nicolas Almagro over American J. Sock who was also scheduled to
play his doubles match in the night session.
The
other third round matches being played featured big guns Federer against
Fernando Verdasco of Spain and Andy Murray against another Spanish left hander
in the form of Feliciano Lopez. The matches to look forward to in the night
session include Giles Simon (France) Vs Mardy Fish (USA); Milos Raonic (Canada)
Vs James Blake (USA); Tomas Berdych (CZE) Vs Sam Querrey (USA).
Day 7
Andy
Murray had a tough match against Lopez and needed to win three tie breakers to
prevail 7-6, 7-6, 4-6, 7-6. American Mardy Fish came through in four sets
against Giles Simon. Canadian Milas Raonic put an end to the challenge from
wild card and veteran James Blake. In the last third round men’s singles match
on day 6, Tomas Berdych overcame Sam Querrey to advance to the round of 16.
On
day 7, Andy Roddick got the better of Fabia Fognini 7-5, 7-6, 4-6, 6-4 and
delayed his retirement by another day. In women’s action Petra Kvitova was shown
the exit door in three sets by an adamant Marion Bartoli from France after having
won the first set 6-1. Bartoli won 1-6, 6-2, 6-0.
Defending
champion Djokovic beat Frenchman Julian Benneteau in straight sets and would
face Swiss Stanislas Wawrinka for a place in the quarter finals. The tireless
and consistent David Ferrer from Spain thwarted the challenge of veteran Aussie
Lleyton Hewitt 7-6, 4-6, 6-3, 6-0.
In
a late night encounter, Philip Kolschreiber of Germany beat local favorite John
Isner in a thrilling 5 setter 6-4, 3-6, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4. Victoria Azarenka, Sam Stosur & Maria Sharapova
were the top women’s players to make it to the quarter finals.
Day 8
No
6 seed Tomas Berdych from the Czech Republic beat 11th seed Spain’s
Nicolas Almagro in straight sets 7-6, 6-4, 6-1 to progress to the quarter
finals. A resurgent Ana Ivanovic of Serbia also advanced to the last eight in
the women’s singles with a comfortable victory over Bulgarian Pironkova.
Serena
Williams takes on Andrea Hlavackova followed by Croatian Marin Cilic who would
lock horns with Slovakian Martin Klizan who ousted Frenchman and one of the
title favorites Jo Wilfred Tsonga. In other women’s fourth round matches,
German Angelique Kerber takes on Sara Errani from Italy and Agnieska Radwanska
faces Roberta Vinci from also from Italy.
The
younger Williams blanked her opponent from the Czech Republic 6-0, 6-0 to
advance to the quarter finals where she takes on Anna Ivanovic of Serbia.
The
diminutive Sara Errani shocked her higher ranked opponent Angelique Kerber 7-6,
6-4. The first set was a real slug fest with long rallies like the ones that we
are used to watching at Roland Garros. Every point was fought like a battle.
However, the Italian managed to hold her nerve and progressed further in the
tournament.
Roger
Federer made it to the quarter finals without breaking a sweat as his opponent
Mardy Fish from the USA had to pull out owing to an unusual heart beat
condition – very unfortunate indeed.
In
mixed doubles action, the first quarter final featured Sania Mirza &
Fleming against Peschke & Matkowski. The match was on serve for the first
four games with the score at 2-2. The Indian ace has also reached the third
round of the women’s doubles along with partner Bethanie Mattek of the US.
The
Williams sisters lost their doubles match. Andy Murray got past big serving
Milos Raonic in straight sets 6-4, 6-4, 6-2 and takes on Croat Marin Cilic for
a place in the semi-finals. Cilic ousted Marin Klizan 7-5, 6-4, 6-0. Italian
Roberta Vinci joined compatriot Sara Errani in the quarter finals after beating
Poland’s Agnieska Radwanska comfortably, 6-1, 6-4.
Day 9
Samantha
Stosur of Australia took on Victoria Azarenka of Belarus in the first of the
women’s quarter finals. Azarenka took control immediately by breaking her
opponent’s serve twice to clinch the opening set 6-1. The defending champion
couldn’t earn even a single break point opportunity. There was brief rain
interruption.
The
second set began dramatically with both players trading breaks and then holding
their serves till 3-3. Sam Stosur broke the Azarenka serve in the seventh game
to go up 4-3 at the hour mark. She then held her serve quite comfortably for a
5-3 lead.
In
men’s fourth round action, Spain’s David Ferrer was up against a very tough
opponent Richard Gasquet from France. The Spaniard led 4-3 at one stage but
Gasquet leveled things up at 5-5 only to be broken in the next game.
Day 10
David
Ferrer prevailed over Richard Gasquet and will face Janko Tipsarevic from
Serbia in the quarter finals. Victoria Azarenka held her nerve in the deciding
set to win the tie-breaker 7-5 and the match.
With
this win, she retains her number one position in the WTA rankings and could
face Maria Sharapova or Marion Bartoli in the semi finals. Serena Williams
takes on Sara Errani in the other semi finals.
Day 11
Novak
Djokovic beat Juan Martin Del Potro in straight sets 6-2, 7-6, 6-4 and looked
to be in control throughout the match. He faces Spaniard David Ferrer who
ousted Tipsarevic in a thrilling five setter. The men’s semi-final lineup is as
follows: Ferrer Vs Djokovic & Murrray Vs Berdych. Tomas Berdych upset the
great Roger Federer in four sets 7-6, 6-4, 3-6, 6-3. A final between Murray
& defending champion Novak Djokovic would be a mouth watering prospect.
Day 12
The
Indo-Czech pair of Leander Paes & Radek Stepanek lost to the illustrious
American twin pairing of Bob & Mike Bryan 6-3, 6-4. The Bryan brothers have
now won 12 grand slams including 4 US Open titles and the London Olympics gold
medal. The great Aussie pair of John Newcombe & Tony Roche has also won 12
doubles titles.
The
first of the women’s singles semi-finals got underway at the Arthur Ashe on a
bright hot afternoon. No 3 seed and 2006 champion Maria Sharapova took on top
seed and current world number 1 Victoria Azarenka of Belarus. Azarenka has a
5-4 head-to-head record and a 3-2 record on hard court finals this year.
The
Russian struck early by breaking her opponent’s serve after holding her serve
in the opening game and quickly consolidated to go ahead 3-0. It was unusual to
see Azarenka look quite unsettled from the baseline. Her opponent wasn’t
letting her settle down and find her rhythm. Of the two players, it is the
Belarusian that moves better and possesses better ground strokes. However, it
was Sharapova who was hitting the lines and controlling the rallies. The fourth
game went Azarenka’s way.
Sharapova
served confidently and comfortably held for a 4-1 lead. She looked very focused
and determined at this stage. Another break of serve ensued with the score line
at 5-1. It appeared as though the French Open 2012 champion had a train to
catch as she seemed to be in a tearing hurry. There was some respite for
Azarenka who managed to get her first break of serve, may be a ray of hope. A
little aberration in the opening set that was dominated by Sharapova. The gap
had been narrowed to 5-3.
In
the 9th game, the double faults began to creep in and the Russian
had served five of them already. And all of a sudden she was down 15-40. She
managed to get to deuce and closed out the first set 6-3 on her second set
point with a timely ace. The set lasted a shade under 40 minutes. In the entire
first set, Azarenka struck just one winner compared to her opponent’s 10.
The
Azarenka serve was again under the gun in the opening game of the second set as
Sharapova’s onslaught continued relentlessly. However, Victoria repaid the
favor in the very next game – score 1-1. For the first time in the match,
Azarenka was up 3-1 after securing another break of serve and held quite
comfortably for 4-1. It appeared as though she had begun to fine her touch at
just about the right time and when it mattered.
The
Russian found herself serving 2-5 down with Azarenka winning the second set on
her second set point. In just under an hour and a half, the score line read
6-3, 2-6. Both women than took a 10 minute break as per the USTA heat rule.
In
the decider, Azarenka needed just one break of serve to win the encounter 6-3,
2-6, 6-4. The Belarusian will play Serena Williams who steam rolled her Italian
opponent Sara Errani 6-2, 6-1 in under one hour. The American is looking for
her 15th grand slam title and fourth at the US Open.
Day 13
Rain
disrupted play as the men’s singles semi finals got delayed by more than an
hour. However, play began 12:26 PM (ET). The first of the semi-finals saw giant
killer Tomas Berdych take on Andy Murray. The conditions were very tough with
swirling winds blowing around. The Czech leads their head-to-head career
meetings 4-2. He also has a huge serve and a very powerful forehand.
Over
the last two weeks, players have had to experience heat, humidity, wind, rain
& sunshine. Moreover, there are jets flying over constantly and the sound
can be very disturbing for the players.
Murray
broke Berdych’s serve in the third game to lead 2-1 but was soon broken back.
The conditions were getting extremely difficult and the Scot had an argument
with Berdych and the chair umpire. However, play continued and the score line
read 3-3 after 41 minutes.
Both
players held serve till 6-5 in favor of Berdych. Murray faced two break points
in the 12th game serving at 15-40 but could save only the first one
with Berdych winning the opening set 7-5 with his trade mark ripping forehand
winner.
Murray
responded with two breaks of serve to lead 4-1 in the second set. The weather
seemed to have improved along with the Scot’s temper. The sun shone brightly
and the intensity of the gusty winds had reduced considerably.
However,
as the match progressed, the sun played hide and seek with Murray winning the
second set 6-2. The third set had a similar plot with three breaks of serve
giving the Scot a 6-1 win and a two sets to one lead. The British number one
and London Olympics Gold medalist certainly handled the hostile conditions
better than his lanky opponent who continued making unforced errors.
In
the fourth set, Murray quickly took a 3-0 lead that was nullified soon with the
set eventually going to a tie-break. Berdych lead 5-2 and it looked as though a
fifth set lurked round the corner. But the yet to be crowned grand slam
champion held his nerve to clinch the tie-break 9-7 and with it the match and a
place in Monday’s final. Murray would be playing in his second US Open final
and fifth grand slam final overall. Can he win his first ever slam this year?
We hope he does, finally!
The
other semifinal between defending champion from Serbia – Novak Djokovic and
Spaniard David Ferrer lasted 30 min with Ferrer leading 5-2. The match was
suspended due to inclement weather till Sunday 11 AM (ET).
Day 14
Ferrer
held serve comfortably to win the first set 6-2 on a much brighter day with
clear weather and friendly winds. The second set went in the Serb’s favor as he
quickly took a 5-1 lead with two breaks of serve. He took the set 6-1. The
opening game of the third set saw Ferrer’s serve being broken again. Djokovic
held for a 2-0 lead but the dogged Spaniard leveled things up at 2-2 and then
took a 3-2 lead on his own serve.
However,
the lead didn’t last long and the Serb prevailed 6-4 and looked supremely
confident and in total control of the match. Two breaks of serve ensued in the
fourth set with Djokovic leading 5-2 after a shade under two & a half
hours. The Spaniard didn’t possess any special weapon to disturb his opponent’s
rhythm.
The
inevitable was delayed by a further three minutes with Djoker prevailing 2-6,
6-1, 6-4, 6-2. He now takes on Andy Murray on Monday. Their career head to head
record is in favor of the Serb 8-6. However, Murray got the better of him in
the semi finals at the London Olympics winning 7-5, 7-5.
The
women’s singles final is scheduled to take place at 4:30 pm (ET). Serena
Williams looks to be the firm favorite against Victoria Azarenka of Belarus and
should win her 15th grand slam singles title.
As
expected, Serena got off to terrific start breaking Azarenka’s serve twice in
the opening set to win it 6-2. The American was dominant and served extremely
well. Her opponent could manage only two winners in the entire set. However,
the second set began with the Belarusian getting the early break of serve which
she managed to consolidate and leveled the match at one set a piece. The score
read 6-2, 2-6. Unforced errors began to creep in from Serena’s racquet.
The
third set was closely fought with Azarenka finding the momentum with a break
and served at 5-4 only to be broken back by the great champion who held her
nerve and clinched the final set 7-5. It was indeed a fitting finale that
capped a wonderful two weeks for the American who won her fourth US open 13
years after her maiden triumph. Slam no 15 and fourth on the all time list
behind Steffi Graf (22), Martina Navratilova (18) & Chris Evert (18) – a
remarkable achievement indeed!
Day 15
The
much awaited men’s final began at 4:00 pm (ET). In his 5th attempt
at winning a grand slam final, Scot Andy Murray recorded a rousing five set
victory over arch rival and defending champion Novak Djokovic.
He
became the first Brit to win a grand slam since the great Fred Perry won his
last US Open 76 years ago in 1936. The legendary tennis player passed away in
1995 at the age of 85. He can now rest happily in his grave. Incidentally, it
was on the same day, Sep 10th 1936; that the great man won the last
of his eight grand slams.
The
first two sets went Murray’s way 7-6 (12-10), 7-5. However, the Serb responded
magnificently to level the match at two sets all by winning the third and the
fourth sets fairly comfortably, 6-2, 6-2.
Murray
seized the initiative in the final set and finally heaved a sigh of relief
after 4 hrs & 54 minutes winning his first grand slam 7-6, 7-5, 2-6, 3-6, 6-2.
Djokovic was cramping a little bit towards the closing stages of the match and
called for a trainer.
The
1988 men’s singles final between Swede Mats Wilander & Ivan Lendl (now
Murray’s coach) lasted 4 hrs & 54 minute as well. However, Lendl ended up
on the losing side.
Some interesting
statistics:
- Serena
Williams in 2012 –
London Olympics Gold medalist, Wimbledon Champion, US Open Champion
- Maria
Sharapova in 2012 –
London Olympics Silver medalist, French Open Champion, US Open semi-finalist
- Victoria
Azarenka in 2012 –
London Olympics Bronze medalist, Australian Open Champion, US Open runner
up
- Victoria
Azarenka in 2005 –
Junior Australian Open Champion, Junior US Open Champion
The
above facts clearly indicate the domination of these three top ranked tennis
stars this year.